Box-fastener



(No Model.) W. H. HOWE.

BOX PASTENER. No. 532,067. Patented Jan. 8, 1895.

y jii i TND NORRIS W HINGTON, D. C.

UNITED STATES PATENT OE -IcE.

IVILLIAM H. HOWE, OF WATERTOWN, MASSACHUSETTS.

BOX-FASTEN ER.

SPEOIFICATIOILforming part of Letters Patent No. 532,067, dated January 8,1895.

Application filed March 22,1894. Serial No- 504,678. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. HOWE, of Watertown, county of Middlesex, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Clasps or Fastenings, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This invention has for its object to construct a catch or fastening especially designed for violin boxes, yet it may be used for any other purpose desired.

In accordance with this invention a metallic disk or plate, circular in shape, is pivoted to the upper part or cover of the box, a segmental portion of said disk or plate projecting below thelower edge of said cover, and said lower projecting portion has a slot or recess cut into it for a short distance, which is curved eccentric to the axis of the disk or plate, and receives a pin secured to the box, said pin entering the slot as the disk or plate is turned.

In the upper part of the disk or plate another slot is formed concentric to the axis, which receives a pin secured to the cover, said slot and pin limiting the movement of the disk in one or it may be in both directions. As a means for turning said disk or plate I have provided two projections, made by striking up a portion of the material of the disk or plate, said projections being at opposite sides of the pivot, and adapted to be easily engaged by the fingers.

Figure 1, shows in front elevation a violin box provided withtwo fastenings embodying this invention, one of which is adapted to be operated with the right and the other with the left hand; Fig. 2, an enlarged front elevation of one of the fastenings in its unlocked position, and Fig. 3, a perspective view of the disk or plate removed.

The box a and cover I) are herein represented as the component parts of a violin box, yet the invention herein described may be applied to any other form of box or may be used for any other purpose.

The invention consists essentially of a metallic circular diskor plate 0, pivoted at a to the cover b, near its lower edge, so that a segmental portion of said disk or plate will project below the lower edge of the cover. A slot or recess 0 is cut or otherwise formed in said lower projecting portion of the disk or plate extending in a direction obliquely to \the radius of the disk, to receive the pin 0 secured to and projecting outwardly from the box a. The side edges of said slot 0 are or may be curved as shown on an axis eccentric to the axis upon which the disk or plate turns, so that as the pin 0 enters the slot, and the disk or plate is turned, the parts a, b, of the box will be drawn together. 'So also bycurving the slot as shown I find that by closing the parts (1,1), of the box together, as the pin a strikes the curved side at the entrance to the slot it will cause the disk or plate 0 to turn on its axis sufficiently to carry the pin a some distance into the slot or recess.

In the upper part of the disk or plate 0 a slot 0 is cutor otherwise formed which is concentric to the axis of the disk or plate, and receives a pin a secured to the upper part or cover of the box, said pin and slot limiting the movement of the disk or plate in one or the other direction. As a means of turning said disk or plate, I have provided two projections c 0 formed by striking up the material of the disk or plate, said projections being at opposite sides of the pivot o.

The disk or plateis made quite large so as to present at its rear side alarge friction surface to bear upon or against the cover, and to adjust or regulate the friction, the pivot c is made as a screw which may be turned in either direction.

The disk or plate maybe received in a counter-sunken or recessed portion of the cover or it may be placed against the flat face of the cover.

The fastening herein described consisting of the circular metallic disk or plate 0 held by a pivot screw 0 so as to bear frictionally against its support, and having aslot or recess 0 formed with a curved side or edge as shown,

to present an eccentric slot-way which receives the pin 0 and also having a concenname to this specification in the presence of tric slot 0 which receives the pin 0 to limit two subscribing witnesses. the movement of the disk or plate, and the finger projections c", 0 formed by striking up 5 the material of the disk, substantially as de- Witnesses:

scribed. B. J. NoYEs,

In testimony whereof I have signed my FLORENCE H. DAVIS.

WILLIAM H. HOWE. 

